The Lake County Library Adult Literacy Program offers free one-on-one tutoring to individuals age 16 and older who need help to improve their reading and writing skills. Program staff is calling on the community to help spread the word for those who need support.
The Adult Literacy Program recruits and trains volunteers from the community to work one-on-one with individuals who need help improving basic reading, writing, and comprehension skills, offering tutoring sessions tailored to the learner’s goals and interests. Tutoring is free and takes place weekly at library branches around the lake, virtually, and in public community spaces.
Based on statistics, 59 million adults in the United States have literacy skills at or below Level 1, the lowest level. 26% of adults in Lake County have literacy skills at or below Level 1. This means they can understand very short, simple sentences.
Reasons for low literacy among adults can include learning or developmental disabilities, educational system challenges, socioeconomic backgrounds, language or cultural barriers, and lack of access or support.
Beyond its importance as part of the right to education, literacy improves lives by expanding capabilities, which in turn reduces poverty, increases participation in the labor market, and has positive effects on health and sustainable development. Literate adults can think critically for themselves, advocate for their children, read prescription bottles, read a menu on their own, read nutrition labels at the store, vote, read for pleasure, and much more.
Anyone who needs help or has questions, contact the literacy program at 707-263-7633 or literacy@lakecountyca.gov.
